700 kW Nanea Solar Project overcomes challenges of "island life" in Hawaii

Hawaii is about to boast a fully installed single-axis solar tracking project on the Big Island. Array Technologies shipped a tropically prepared version of the DuraTrack HZ to the site in 2013. Sunetric, a Hawaii-based photovoltaic solar power company and the EPC behind the project, has initiated installation of the tracker on site.

The project is located on an active golf course and has a nice view of the ocean. But life on the island isn't always easy. The Sunetric team had to overcome the challenge of installing on complicated lava rock soils, which they resolved by utilizing a self-ballasted foundation system. Due to the high levels of humidity and proximity to the ocean at the site, Array Technologies designed a special corrosion resistant version of the DuraTrack HZ to be employed in environments like those in tropical Hawaii.

"We chose to work with ATI due to their proven track record and experience with tracking systems in remote and varied environments all around the world," says Aaron Kirk, COO of Sunetric. "ATI's team of engineers worked closely with us to design a robust solar tracker suited to the site's island environment, providing a solid tracking solution that will boast an attractive energy gain."

"ATI is pleased to partner with locally-based Sunetric, a true solar industry leader in Hawaii as well as across the States," explains Ron Corio, Founder and CEO of Array Technologies. "Not all solar sites are created equal, so our team tailored the tracking solution to meet the island conditions in Hawaii, ultimately ensuring reliable performance and longevity for the Nanea solar tracking site, along with a premium energy gain for its owner."

Chosen for its field-tested durability, reliability and robust performance, the DuraTrack HZ system has been installed in more projects worldwide than any other tracker on the market. With installations in all 50 states, and over two decades of experience, Array Technologies' trackers are designed with a minimization of materials that makes for efficient installation, while maintaining a high level of durability built to last in the elements.

Hawaii has fantastic solar insolation and high electricity prices due to a dependence on imported energy, making it an ideal location for solar installations like Nanea.


About Array Technologies:

Array Technologies is the worldwide market leader in tracking solutions for utility, commercial and residential solar electric systems, with nearly 2 gigawatts shipped and installed across the globe. Array's innovation and leadership in ground mount fixed-rack and solar tracker design has established the industry standard for cost-effective, robust, reliable and easy to install PV solutions with over two decades of field experience. Headquartered in Albuquerque, NM, Array Technologies' ground mount solutions are engineered and manufactured in the USA. For more information about Array Technologies, Inc., please visit arraytechinc.com.

About Sunetric:

Founded in Hawaii in 2004 by Sean and Beth-Ann Mullen, Sunetric is one of North America's top solar firms. Headquartered in Hawaii with branch offices in Colorado, California, and Washington, D.C., Sunetric is the largest renewable energy and solar installation company in the islands, with more than 292,500 solar panels and 65 megawatts of solar installations statewide. As Hawaii's first SunPower Elite dealer, Sunetric has installed several of the largest photovoltaic systems in Hawaii, including Kona Commons on the Big Island, Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Kauai, and Y. Hata on Oahu. Visit www.sunetric.com for more information.